Politics · United Kingdom · 2 hrs ago
UK proposes tougher penalties and emergency powers to protect undersea cables
The UK government has proposed new protections for undersea cables and pipelines that carry internet data and gas.
The plans include prison terms of up to 14 years for intentional damage, with shorter terms for reckless or grossly negligent damage and unlimited fines.
Ministers could order telecoms companies to share information or change or disable services during specific national security threats, and officials could gain access to cable sites.
The proposals respond to concern about suspicious Russian activity near undersea infrastructure; Russia has denied the UK’s accusations.
These links matter because they carry almost all of the UK’s international data traffic and about three-quarters of its gas supply, while existing laws date back to the Victorian era.
The government is consulting on the plans before deciding what legislation to introduce, with the industry consultation due to close in January.
The UK has proposed new laws to protect undersea cables and pipelines, including emergency powers for ministers and tougher penalties for damage.
Intentional damage to critical subsea energy or telecoms infrastructure could carry a prison sentence of up to 14 years and unlimited fines.
Ministers could order telecoms companies to hand over information or modify or disable services during specific threats or incidents.
The proposals come amid concerns about Russian activity near undersea infrastructure and laws dating from the Victorian era.
The government has opened a consultation on the plans before deciding how to proceed.
- Who
- The UK government has proposed the measures. Telecoms companies and people who damage undersea infrastructure would be affected.
- What
- The proposals include emergency powers over telecoms services, new security duties and tougher criminal penalties.
- When
- The government outlined the plans on Thursday, 22 October 2026. It has opened a 12-week consultation.
- Where
- The measures concern undersea cables and pipelines serving the UK, including infrastructure beyond its territorial waters.
- Why
- The government says existing laws may not adequately protect undersea infrastructure, amid concerns about security risks and suspicious activity in UK waters.
UK government
Russia
Allegations
UK government
The UK has accused Russian submarines of conducting a covert operation near undersea cables and pipelines.
Russia
Russia has denied the claims.
Characterisation of UK statements
UK government
The UK says suspicious Russian activity has increased concerns about the security of undersea infrastructure.
Russia
Russia has accused the UK of stirring up tensions through anti-Russian alarmism.
A parliamentary report warned of security vulnerabilities affecting undersea infrastructure.
The UK accused Russian submarines of conducting a covert operation near cables and pipelines in waters north of the UK.
The UK government announced its intention to toughen penalties and introduce security obligations for cable operators.
The government outlined proposed emergency powers and criminal penalties in a policy paper.
The consultation with industry is due to close.
- Maximum sentence for intentional damage
- Up to 14 years in prison
- Fine for non-compliance with orders
- Up to £17m or 10% of global turnover
- Undersea cables
- Carry around 99% of the UK's international data traffic, according to the government
- Underwater pipelines
- Account for 74% of the UK's gas supply, according to the government
- Consultation period
- 12 weeks
3 sources
What people are saying
The threats we face have changed dramatically, with suspicious Russian activity around critical undersea infrastructure, yet some of the laws protecting these vital connections date back more than a century
anti-Russian alarmism